- Her loudest grunt was measured at 101.2 decibels (louder than a motorcycle or a lawnmower) on 21 June 2005 at Wimbledon Centre Court. Previously the loudest grunt was by Monica Seles at 93.2 decibels.
- She was (and still is) so ambidextrous that she almost became a left-handed tennis player.
- Born in Siberia, Russia, and raised in the United States since age seven. Father Yuri brought her to the U.S. in 1994, but mother Yelena didn't join them until two years later due to visa problems.
- Wears a size 10 shoe.
- Named #19 in FHM's "100 Sexiest Women in the World 2005" special supplement. (2005)
- Named #8 in FHM magazine's "100 Sexiest Women in the World 2006" supplement. (2006).
- In 2007, Forbes Magazine estimated her earnings for the year at $23 million.
- (February 26, 2020) She announced her retirement from tennis.
- Was named one of the 50 Most Beautiful People by People Magazine in 2005.
- She defeated world #1 Amélie Mauresmo (6-0, 4-6, 6-0) in the semifinals and world #2 Justine Henin 6-4, 6-4 in the final of the 2006 US Open to win the title and $1.7 million in prize money.
- Ranked #17 on the Maxim magazine Hot 100 of 2007 list.
- On 2 March 2016, Maria Sharapova was charged with an Anti-Doping Rule Violation under Article 2.1 of the Programme (presence of a Prohibited Substance in a Player's Sample). She promptly admitted that she had committed the Anti-Doping Rule Violation charged, and asked for a hearing before an Independent Tribunal in accordance with Article 8 of the Programme to determine the consequences to be imposed on her for that violation. The Independent Tribunal determined that (1) Ms. Sharapova should serve a period of ineligibility of two years; (2) due to her prompt admission of her violation, that period of ineligibility should be back-dated under Article 10.10.3(b) of the Programme to commence from 26 January 2016 (the date of sample collection) and so should end at midnight on 25 January 2018; and (3) her results at the 2016 Australian Open should be disqualified, with resulting forfeiture of the ranking points and prize money that she won at that event. - ITF Official Statement 2016-06-18.
- According to the LA Times and Orange County Register, Maria said at a press conference she has grown a few cm this year and is now 6' 2". She's been having back pains and has had to pull out of some tournaments due to the pain which she thinks is from a growth spurt.
- On the Forbes 2006 Richest Young Celebrities List, it is reported she earned $18.2 million in 2005. She was the highest-paid female athlete of the year.
- Very close friends with fellow tennis player Maria Kirilenko.
- Has endorsements with Nike, Evian, Head, Samsung, Tag Heuer, Motarola, Tiffany and Land Rover.
- 2004 women's Wimbledon champion. Defeated two-time defending champion Serena Williams 6-1, 6-4.
- She won the 2004 WTA Championships, defeating Serena Williams 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 in the final to pocket one million dollars and win a new Porsche Cayenne to donate to a charity of her choice.
- Became number 1 in the world in August 2005 & is the first Russian player to become the best player in the world
- October 2009, won the "Pan Pacific Open" in Tokyo.
- Has resided permanently in the U.S. since 1994.
- The drug that caused her suspension from competitive tennis was Meldonium, a heart disease medication (aka as mildronate). She had been taking the drug since 2006 for health problems and was unaware that it had become a banned substance on 1 January 2016.
- A lifelong avid reader, most particularly of the works of Arthur Conan Doyle.
- Has one son with Alexander Gilkes, Theodore (b. July 1st, 2022).
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